Damn. Why do great books always have to end? ( )

Love Kingsolver! ( )

Another fine Kingsolver story. I initially avoided reading her books, despite recommendations from people I kind-of knew! The reason I avoided them was that they sounded too heavily laden with socio-political messages, and I don't read fiction to be preached at. However, what I've found is that this author is remarkably skillful in creating characters and situations with which I could identify and become emotionally involved, despite their apparent distance from my own situation. This story is a classic example. The obvious target audience groups are mothers and native americans, and to neither of which do I belong. Kingsolver sets up a story of Cherokee versus mother, but she does it in such a way that this reader felt equally drawn to both sides. The justice of both the mother's position and the Indian's position is made evident and we can't see how this can resolve satisfactorily. Of course the conclusion doesn't have to be completely satisfactory, because life isn't like that, but nonetheless, Kingsolver's ultimate message is that love does have the power to take us beyond motherhood or genetic ancestry. Yes, the last couple of chapters did move me to tears, but I'm that sort of person I guess. It definitely helped, but wasn't essential, to read "The Bean Trees" first. This was especially true because it set up the (geographic) landscape for me, a non-American. That landscape (both urban and rural) and the way it affects the people's lives is a major issue in these books, I think. ( )

Taylor Greer adopted Turtle after finding her abandoned in her car. Turtle and Taylor settled into life as a curious mother-daughter pair and were doing fine until Annawake, a lawyer from the Cherokee Nation, recognized Turtle as being Cherokee. When Annawake informed Taylor the adoption was illegal without the Nation’s consent, they were launched into a willful struggle over Turtle and her future.

When I picked this book up at my favorite used bookstore, I already knew that I enjoyed Barbara Kingsolver’s writing based on my experience with The Poisonwood Bible. What I didn’t know was that it is a sequel to The Bean Trees, which I had not read. Fortunately, this book stood fine on its own and I was none the wiser until after I completed it and did some research on Kingsolver.

I enjoyed Kingsolver’s storytelling – her writing is simple and beautiful, but leaves the reader with many challenging issues to contemplate. For example, I was fascinated by the different portrayals of poverty in this book. When Taylor and Turtle are fleeing Annawake’s threats, their financial situation is grim. They live on almost nothing, need much, and Taylor’s desperation and depression are only outweighed by the pride that prevents her from asking help from anyone. In clear contrast, Annawake’s small Cherokee town is a place of joy and support. While its residents have humble lifestyles, they ask for what they need, need very little, and seem to accept life for the daily gift that it is.

There were definitely points in the book where things dragged, but the high points kept me engaged. Barbie, a wanderer who Taylor and Turtle pick up, was so bizarre and fascinating, I kept wanting to know more about her. I also really appreciated the small peek into the legal issues surrounding the Cherokee Nation. It is a shame I didn’t learn more on this subject while in law school, but the bits presented in Pigs in Heaven made me want to learn more. My only complaint was that this book really focused more on relational struggles than it did on any actual legal activity. In the end, I think that was the point – stirring up questions about poverty, family, and the balance of individual and community interests.

http://decklededges.wordpress.com/200... ( )

The author is a wonderful storyteller. The stomp dance scene came alive for me. ( )